HALLMARK HALL OF FAME: "CHRISTMAS WITH HOLLY" - New York Times bestselling author Lisa Kleypas' novel, Christmas with Holly (previously published as Christmas Eve at Friday Harbor), is now Hallmark Hall of

As you've likely noticed, nearly every comedy and drama series — from “Parks and Recreation” to “Castle” to “NCIS” to “Glee” — has trotted out its own special holiday episode this year. And don't get me started on the umpteen new movies on the tube, courtesy of Hallmark, Lifetime and ABC Family.

So much sweetness at once is enough to give one the sugar shakes. And let's face it, the plots of these movies — which almost always revolve around a Scrooge-like character who finally succumbs to the true spirit of Christmas — are so similar, they frequently result in more yawns than grins.

Most Popular

That said, I have found a few TV originals that, for various reasons, stand out. In fact, three such charmers air tonight. Here's why they made me smile:

“The Mistle-Tones” (7 p.m., ABC Family). One word describes the magic of this one — music! Specifically, the contagiously joyous performances by Tia Mowry, who certainly has grown up beautifully from her cute days with twin Tamera on the '90s TV series “Sister, Sister.” Right away, we know we're hearing something special when she auditions for local Christmas singing group the Snow Belles and breaks out into a simply glorious “O Holy Night.”

Also enchanting is a duet toward the end featuring Mowry and her handsome co-star, Jonathan Patrick Moore, of the more modern tune “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home),” on a River Walk-style barge.

What's more, the plot permits over-the-top Tori Spelling to chew up the scenery as mean meow queen Marci, the head of the Snow Belles. When an opening in the group pops up, Marci rejects the hopeful Holly (Mowry) in favor of a less talented pal. This causes Holly to start a rival group, and they both compete “X Factor” style for the chance to headline the annual Christmas show.

“Hallmark Hall of Fame: Christmas With Holly” (8 p.m., ABC). Making this potentially saccharine yarn appealing is watching three bachelor brothers bumble and fall as they struggle to make a sad little girl enjoy the holidays.

It reminded me of “Three Men and a Little Lady,” minus the star power of Tom Selleck, Ted Danson and Steve Guttenberg, of course. Like that trio, these guys also fail at the simplest tasks as they try to please their recently orphaned niece Holly. Why, they not only burn the Thanksgiving turkey but all the trimmings, too.

Besides, Sean Faris (“The Vampire Diaries”) as Mark, who has been appointed the 6-year-old's legal guardian, is hunky in a young Tom Cruise kind of way.

“Help for the Holidays” (7 p.m., Hallmark Channel). Last but far from least is a warm-as-cocoa treat starring sci-fi dream girl Summer Glau of San Antonio.

This one succeeds mostly because Glau — as a Christmas elf who spends her days helping Santa at the North Pole — is just so darned adorable.

The actress, who said she'll celebrate the holidays this month with her family in Boerne, looks as if she were made to wear pointy ears.

What's more, the innocence her character projects while posing as a human nanny so she can help some L.A. kids finally experience a real Christmas seems so genuine, you can't help but fall in love with her — and, really, the whole movie.

Jeanne Jakle's column appears Sundays and Wednesdays in S.A. Life, and she blogs at Jakle's Jacuzzi on mySA.com. Email her at jjakle@express-news.net